Los Angeles authorities investigating Willow Smith photo

Compiled by Tony Hicks

Contra Costa Times

Posted:
05/21/2014 01:06:08 PM EDT

Authorities are investigating Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, after a photo surfaced earlier this month of their fully-clothed 13-year-old daughter, Willow, lying on a bed with the shirtless, 20-year-old former "Hannah Montana" actor Moises Arias, according to RadarOnline.

"The investigation was formally opened last week (by Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services) and is being taken very seriously by the department," a source told Radar. "Will and Jada Pinkett Smith have been extremely cooperative with officials. Of course, they aren't happy that their parenting skills are under scrutiny, but they understand."

The source also said, "Social workers will also be talking separately with Willow, and they also want to talk to the young man in the picture with her as well."

Jada Pinkett Smith arrives at the film premiere of her husband Will Smith's "Pursuit of Happyness" in the Westwood section of Los Angeles on Dec. 7, 2006. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

It's a good thing the authorities in the great city of Los Angeles have nothing better to do than spend time investigating famous people's seemingly-innocent online photos.

Then again, if that was my daughter ...

Willow's mother Jada defended the picture shortly after it went viral, saying there was "nothing sexual about it."

Radar reported the source said, "This won't just be one or two visits with the family, and it will likely be an open investigation for at least a month, out of an abundance of caution."

Right. Well, at least they aren't using their names to push their kids into the film business.

Photographers asked Pinkett Smith about the photo on May 7 after she arrived at Los Angeles International Airport.

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"Here's the deal," she said, in a video shown on TMZ. "There was nothing sexual about that picture or that situation. You guys are projecting your trash onto it ... and you're acting like covert pedophiles and that's not cool."

But having a shirtless 20-year-old guy in bed with your 13-year-old daughter is cool, apparently.

TMZ reported a source saying Willow's parents had "no issue" with the photo, and that Willow is "very mature." The couple say the photo was "an expression of art" and "innocent fun."

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